Do Saunas really help with muscle tension?

Question:

I recently had a massage, because I have extremely tense muscles in my neck, shoulder and back. The massuese told me to start using a sauna, once a week for about 7-10 minutes to help relieve the tension. I did this starting yesterday and it seemed to just make my muscles ache more. I realize this was only my first time and it may take several weeks before it starts to help. I just want to know if sitting in a sauna for a few minutes once a week will actually help or if I'm just wasting my time and making it worse.

Answers:
Well, on the plus side, saunas help you lose weight, as you sweat out calories & fat sitting in one. For tense muscles though, I would recommend a hot tub, whirlpool, or spa bath as opposed to a sauna. Sauna's are relaxing, but I don't think they relieve any pain... it's more of a mental relaxation, where sitting in a hot tub or spa will actually work like a heating pad & help relieve the pain due to stress.

Also, try Exedrin back & body or Bayer back & body... i've found both of these to work wonderfully... Bayer of course has other health benefits, like helping to prevent heart attack.

Remember... stress & tension are only what you make it... enjoy life... look at the bright side of all situations... stress and tension are no good for anyone!!

Wishing you well...

I was told by my physical therapist that basically everyone is different when it comes to pain managment, Something that might work wonders for me, may make your pain worse than what it was. I have a tens unit for my pain, it sends electrical shocks in certains spots of my body and when I got it I was told that it may help my pain and it may make it worse or it may not do anything for it. In my case it really don't do anything for it.
I would just give the sauna thing a few weeks and see how you feel, if you don't feel any better then stop using it and try something else.

Do Saunas really help with muscle tension?

Health Resources